Scaffold supporting bracket



Feb; 7 1950 NELSON I 2,496,556

SCAFFOLD SUPPORTING BRACKET Filed Dec. 16, 1946 Patented Feb. 7, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SCAFFOLD SUPPORTING BRACKET Alvin J. Nelson, Oshkosh, Wis.

Application December 16, 1946, Serial No. 716,512

Claims.

This invention relates to scaffold supporting brackets for supporting scaffold boards or members on sloping roofs or surfaces, and comprises in its construction a scaffold supporting arm on which is linearly slidably disposed a clamp assembly including an adjustable jaw for engaging and firmly retaining the scaffold board or other element in position on said arm.

The broad primary object of the invention is to provide such a device which is extremely strong in construction, unusually safe, simple and reliable in operation, and which may be economically manufactured largely from usual commercially available structural steel or iron elements or parts.

Other more specific objects are: to provide in such a device a novel clamp construction and association thereof with the scaffold supporting arm whereby a single adjusting element may be actuated to simultaneously lock the clamp in any desired position of adjustment on the arm and urge the adjustable jaw thereof into operative clamping engagement with a scaffold board or member resting on said arm; and to provide such a device wherein the clamp in addition to supporting the clamp jaw and guiding same in its linear adjustment will serve to maintain the various component parts of the supporting arm in properly assembled relation in the event the elements normally relied upon for this function give way.

Further objects and advantages will be apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, together with the accompanying drawings thereof, in which:

Figure 1 represents a perspective view of a scaffold supporting bracket embodying the invention, as same appears when applied to a shingle roof, prior to application of a scaffold or staging board thereto;

Figure 2, a side elevation of the scaffold supporting bracket shown in Figure showing same in operative position and, in broken lines, a scaffold board positioned thereon; and

Figure 3, a cross section on the line 3-3 of Figure 2, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring now in detail to the accompanying drawings, the numeral I therein designates a base which is preferably formed of metal such as steel, though it may be of other suitable rigid material. In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the base I is adapted to be secured to a roof or other sloping surface by means of nails 2 disposed through holes formed therein as in Figure 1, wherein my invention is shown as it appears when applied to a shingle roof. Preferably an additional relatively larger set of nail holes 2' is provided to receive the comparatively larger size nails customarily employed in connection with roll or sheet roofing, to adapt the 2 base for securing to a roof on which such roofing is being applied.

Secured in suitable fashion, as by rivets 3 near the upper or inner end of the base I is a hinge bracket 4, preferably in the form of a short T-iron section, having an upwardly projecting hinge element or vertical fin 5 extending in a medial longitudinal vertical plane relative to the base I.

Fixedly secured to the lower end portion of the base I, preferably by rivets 6, is a brace adjusting bracket which preferably comprises a pair of transversely spaced linearly extending angle irons I, having their vertical walls or flanges disposed adjacent each other to define a linear slot 8 therebetween, preferably in linear alignment with the upstanding fin or hinge element 5.

A series of relatively linearly spaced pairs of respectively transversely opposed adjusting notches 9 is formed in the vertical flanges of the brace adjusting bracket I to cooperate with a brace or support in the manner hereinafter described.

A scaffold supporting platform or arm designated ID in its entirety, is pivotally associated with the base I, for swinging movement relative thereto in a vertical linear plane, preferably being pivotally secured to the hinge element or fin 5. The structural details of said arm I0 will be described specifically hereinafter.

An adjustable rigid brace or support II of metal or other suitable material, has its upper end pivotally secured to the arm ID adjacent the outer end thereof for relative swinging movement or adjustment in a vertical linear plane. The lower end of said brace II is adapted to be received between the transversely spaced members 1 of the brace adjusting bracket, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, and is provided with a transverse pin I2 fixedly disposed therethrough in suitable fashion to be received in any of the various linearly spaced pairs of notches 9, thus permitting adjustment of the brace II to support the arm III in any of various selected angular positions relative to the base I.

The broad general association of the supporting arm I9, brace I I, base I and bracket I, or equivalents thereto, is old, as shown for instance by the Patzold Patent Number 667,992. Hence this broad combination or association of parts is not claimed as my invention, but has been generally described merely in order to promote a rapid and intelligent understanding of my invention, which is directly primarily to the structural details of the scaffold supporting arm I9, and the cooperation of these details or features with-the other component parts of the scaffold bracket, and to the combination with said arm of a novel sliding clamp and associated parts.

Referring specifically to the said supporting arm or platform I0, it will be seen that same comprises a pair of transversely spaced parallel rigid members preferably consisting of suitable lengths of usual commercially available angle irons, which are assembled with their relatively adjacent vertical flanges l3 depending or directed downwardly to define a linear guide slot [4 therebetween. Their lateral flanges l5 are directed away from each other and lie in a common plane to provide an upwardly presented horizontal scaffold supporting surface.

It will be noted that the arm It] thus formed has parallel upper and lower surfaces consisting of the upper surfaces of the lateral flanges l5 and the lower linear edges of the depending flanges 13 respectively. Also it will be noted that the outwardly presented edge surfaces of the lateral flanges [5 are parallel, and that the laterally outwardly presented surfaces of the depending fianges I3 are parallel. Thus the arm is provided with upwardly and downwardly presented surfaces respectively in parallel lateral planes, and relatively remotely presented vertical side surfaces in parallel planes, to accommodate a sliding clamp in the manner hereinafter set forth.

The inner end portions of the depending flanges 13 in the preferred embodiment are disposed on opposite lateral sides of the hinge bracket fin or element 5 and pivotally secured thereto by the pivot pin or bolt [6 passed transversely through registering bores in said flanges l3 and fin 5, thus providing the aforementioned pivotal connection between the base I and the arm Ill.

Similarly the outer end portions of the flanges l3 are disposed on opposite sides of the brace H at the upper end thereof, and pivotally secured thereto by the transverse pivot pin I! which may consist of a usual bolt disposed through registeing bores in said flanges l3 and brace I! to provide "the aforementioned pivotal connection between said brace and the arm Hi.

It will be noted that the brace H and the fin or element 5 are of equal thickness in the preferred embodiment and thus maintain the two angle irons of the arm H] in relatively spaced parallel relation as heretofore described.

A linearly adjustable sliding clamp is mounted on the arm It to fixedly position scaffold boards or members of varying dimensions thereon. Said clamp comprises vertically opposed linearly adjustable guides l8 and 20 respectively spanning the slot 14 and slidably engaging the upper and lower vertically presented surfaces of the arm ID, portions of these guides being in sliding engagement with the relatively laterally remote vertical side surfaces of the respective flanges l3 and I5 to guide the clamp in its linear movement and also to prevent relative lateral spreading of the two angle iron members comprised in the arm ID, in the event of failure of either of the bolts 16 or H.

In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the upper plate or guide l8 extends across the entire upper surface of the arm l0 and is formed with integral laterally opposed channeled portions or runners l9 opening toward each other and extending around and beneath the relatively remote linear edges of the lateral flanges I5. The lower plate or guide '20 consists of an upwardly opening channeled member extending across the lower edges of the depending flanges l3 and slidably engaging the laterally remote vertical sides thereof. Both of the plates or guides l8 and 20 are preferably formed as heavy gauge sheet metal stampings.

Carried'by the upper plate or guide l8 for vertical adjustment relative thereto and to the scaffold supporting arm [0, is a clamp jaw 2|, which projects linearly inwardly or forwardly from the guide [8 to be disposed in vertical registry with and engage the upper surface of a scaffold board or staging element supported on the upper surface of the arm I0, such a board being shown in broken lines in Figure 2. Preferably the jaw 21 is provided with one or more downwardly projecting sharpened teeth or studs 23 to bite into the plank or board and firmly retain same against lateral movement.

It is desirable to form the jaw 2| so that the projecting portion 24 thereof is upwardly offset from the remainder or shank thereof which normally rests on the guide l8 when the jaw is in operative engagement with a staging or scaffolding member.

The aforementioned members are all secured in operative assembled relation and rendered adjustable as aforementioned by a common connecting and adjusting means such as the threaded member or bolt 22 freely slidably disposed through the shank of the clamp jaw 2| and the upper guide l8, with the head of said bolt 22 abutting against the upper surface of the clamp jaw shank. Said bolt is disposed downwardly vertically through the slot [4 and passes through the lower guide l8 which is formed with a threaded medial bore to operatively receive same. Thus it will be seen that the bolt 22 may be rotated, as by means of a screwdriver operatively engaging the slotted head of the bolt 22, to urge the guides l8 and 20 toward each other and into frictional locking engagement with the arm l0. At the same time the jaw member 2| will be urged downwardly toward the upper scaffold supporting surface of the arm I 0.

The bolt or threaded means 22 is linearly movable along the slot l4 and is maintained centered therein and out of possible harmful contact with the arm H) by the guides l8 and 20.

In the operation of the invention, which is believed to be apparent from the foregoing, the brackets of my invention will normally be employed in pairs, in the usual manner, to support opposite ends or portions of a scaffold board or member. The base I of each said bracket will be securely fastened to the roof, as shown in Figure l and heretofore described, with the linear axis of the base sloping in the same direction as the roof. The brace H of each bracket will then be adjusted to such position as will support the arm 10 in a substantially horizontal plane. With the bolt 22 loosened to permit adjustment of the clamp members or guides l8 and 20, and the jaw 2|, in the manner aforementioned, the clamp or clamp assembly is moved toward the outer end of the arm Iii while a scaffold board is laid across the upper surface of the arm 10. Then the clamp or clamp assembly is adjusted to the position shown in Figure 2, wherein the upper guide 18 thereof abuts against the outer edge of the scaffold board. At this time the clamp jaw 2i is raised slightly and positioned over the board, whereupon tightening of the threaded means or bolt 22 will serve to urge the clamp jaw 21 toward the arm l0 and to imbed the teeth 23 thereof in the board. At the same time the guides l8 and 20 will be urged into tight frictional engagement with the arm Ill to lock themselves in this adjusted position.

When it is desired to remove or reposition the scaffold board, the bolt'22 is loosened'to permit the jaw 2| to be raised-and disengaged from the board,

at the same time releasing the frictional engagement between the guides i8, 20, and the arm ID, to permit linear movement of said guides and jaw clear of the board.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that I have provided an improved scaffold supporting bracket which is adapted for economical production and fabrication from usual commercially available structural steel material; which is exceedingly stron and safe in construction and operation; and which is quite simple in operation.

In particular, it will be noted that the guides or clamp members of the invention will serve to maintain the angle iron members of the arm ID in their assembled spaced relation, in case of failure of either pivot bolt IE or II, thus providing an important safety factor. Also, these guides l8 and 20 serve to: guide the clamp jaw 2| in its linear movement, and to maintain the connecting bolt 22 center in the slot id to prevent interference with or damage to said bolt by contact with the arm l0. Further it will be noted that the common connecting means or bolt 22 simultaneously adjusts the guides i8 and 20 and the clamp jaw 2 I.

In this application I have shown and described only the preferred embodiment of my invention, simply by way of illustration of the practice thereof, as by law required. However, I reco nize that my invention is capable of other and different embodiments; and that the various details thereof may be modified, without departing from my said invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description herein are to be considered as merely illustrative and not as exclusive.

1 claim:

1. A scaffold supporting bracket comprising a scaffold supporting arm and linearly spaced supporting means for same, said arm comprising linearly extending parallel angle irons having relatively adjacent depending flanges extending between and connected to said respective spaced supporting means on opposite sides thereof, said supporting means serving to maintain said angle irons in relatively spaced relation to define a linear slot therebetween, and lateral flanges directed away from each other in a common plane to provide a scaffold supporting surface, in combination with a clamp comprising vertically opposed llnearly slidable guides spannin said slot above and below said angle irons respectively for linear adjustment between said linearly spaced supporting means, said upper guide extending across the upper surfaces of said lateral flanges and around and beneath the relatively remote linear edges thereof, said lower guide extending across the lower edges of said depending flanges and slidably engaging the relatively remote sides of said flanges, said guides maintaining said angle iIOl'lS against relative spreading, threaded adjusting means extending through said slot and connecting said guides for adjustment toward each other into frictional engagement with said angle irons, and a clamp jaw mounted for relative vertical adjustment on said upper guide, said jaw being connected to said threaded adjusting means to be urged downwardly thereby into operative clamping engagement with a scaffold member supported on said arm.

2. In a scaffold supporting bracket, a scaffold supporting arm comprising a pair of linearly extending parallel angle irons having relatively adjacent depending vertical flanges in spaced vertical planes to define a linear slot therebetween, and lateral flanges directed away from each other in a common plane on opposite sides of said slot, in combination with vertically opposed linearly adjustable guides spanning said slot and slidably abutting against said arm on opposite vertical sides thereof, threaded adjusting means operatively connecting said guides through said slot for adjustment toward each other, and a clamp jaw carried by one of said guides for relative vertical adjustment, said jaw being connected to said threaded adjusting means to receive vertical movement therefrom, said threaded means being operable to urge said respective guides toward each other into tight frictional engagement with said arm and to simultaneously urge said jaw member vertically into operative clamping engagement with a scafiold member supported on said arm.

3. In a scaffold supporting bracket, a supporting arm comprising a pair of rigid arm members having upwardly and downwardly presented surfaces respectively in parallel lateral planes, and relatively remotely presented vertical side surfaces, said members being relatively laterally spaced to define a linear slot therebetween, in combination with vertically opposed guides respectively extending across said slot in sliding engagement with said upwardly and downwardly presented surfaces and having portions in sliding engagement with said opposed side surfaces,

, threaded means disposed through said slot for 4. In a scaffold supporting bracket, a support ing arm comprising a pair of rigid arm members having upwardly presented lateral scaffold supporting surfaces, said members being relatively laterally spaced to define a linear slot therebetween, in combination with vertically opposed guides respectively disposed above and below said arm in sliding engagement therewith and spanning said slot, threaded means extending through said slot and connecting said guides for adjustment toward each other into tight frictional engagement with said arm, and a clamp jaw carried by said upper guide for adjustment therewith toward the scaffold supporting surface of said arm.

5. In a scaffold supporting bracket, a linearly slotted scaffold supporting arm, guides slidably associated with said arm on opposite sides of said slot, a clamp jaw carried by one of said guides for adjustment toward said arm, and a common adjusting means disposed through said slot and connecting said guides and said clamp jaw for simultaneous adjustment toward said arm.

ALVIN J. NELSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 285,164 Ryan Sept. 18, 1883 348,705 Warren et a1. Sept. 7, 1886 667,992 Patzold Feb. 12, 1901 687,666 Spring Nov. 26, 1901 1,456,940 Showalter May 29, 1923 1,827,491 Spillman Oct. 13, 1931 

